Heated ice door

ABSTRACT

An ice distributing apparatus including an ice discharge tube, an activation mechanism and a door apparatus in releasable contact with the ice discharge tube. The door apparatus includes a routing pocket, a plurality of interference protrusions proximate to the routing pocket and a heating element at least partially disposed in the routing pocket and retained by at least one of the plurality of interference protrusions.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a non-provisional application based upon U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/547,096, entitled “HEATED ICE DOOR”, filed Feb. 24, 2004.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an ice making apparatus, and, more particularly, to an ice door associated with an ice distributing apparatus.

2. Description of the Related Art

Ice makers have for years provided convenient access to ice cubes and chips. Ice makers are found in freezer sections of home refrigerators and are accessible by way of a tray that holds the ice in the freezer compartment. Advance distribution systems of ice are incorporated in some refrigeration units, allowing the discharge of ice products upon the activation of a device holding a quantity of ice in the freezer compartment. A user can access the ice maker from outside of the refrigeration unit by placing a discharge tube in an appropriate receptacle and pressing a button, thereby causing the flow of ice to be initiated into the discharge tube. The ability to access ice from outside of a refrigeration unit leads to a necessity of reducing the heat flow to the interior of the refrigeration unit. An enclosable door can be utilized to reduce the heat loss of the unit.

A problem with conventional ice makers is that condensation of moisture occurs on icemaker distribution systems and a potential freezing of the moisture condensate.

What is needed in the art is an effective way of reducing and/or eliminating condensate on an ice distribution system door.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a heated ice door and a method for making a heated ice door.

The invention comprises, in one form thereof, an ice distributing apparatus including an ice discharge tube, an activation mechanism and a door apparatus in releasable contact with the ice discharge tube. The door apparatus includes a routing pocket, a plurality of interference protrusions proximate to the routing pocket and a heating element at least partially disposed in the routing pocket and retained by at least one of the plurality of interference protrusions.

An advantage of the present invention is that the heating element can be easily routed and retained in the door apparatus.

An advantage of the present invention is that the heating element can be retained without the utilization of any adhesive.

Yet another advantage is that the heating element can be positioned without the need of any special tooling.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above-mentioned and other features and advantages of this invention, and the manner of attaining them, will become more apparent and the invention will be better understood by reference to the following description of embodiments of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of an ice making apparatus including a door of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the door of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an assembled view of the door of FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 4 is an assembled view of another embodiment of the door of FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 2; and

FIG. 6 is a schematical representation of a temperature sensing unit contained in the door of FIGS. 1-4.

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views. The exemplifications set out herein illustrate one preferred embodiment of the invention, in one form, and such exemplifications are not to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention in any manner.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIGS. 1-4, there is shown an embodiment of an ice making and distributing apparatus 10, including discharge tube 12, door apparatus 14 and activation mechanism 16. Discharge tube 12 directs ice products from an auger mechanism (not shown) when door apparatus 14 is in an open position. The majority of the time no ice is being discharged and door apparatus 14 is closed against an open portion of discharge tube 12. Upon initiation of activation mechanism 16, door 14 is moved in direction 6 as it rotates about a rotational component as shown by arrow 8 to thereby allow the ice product, that is directed to discharge tube 12, to escape therefrom and be routed by further assemblies, not shown, to a container positioned by an individual who has activated activation mechanism 16.

Interconnection features 18 are located on a bottom portion of door 14, which allow the quick connection of activation mechanism 16 to door 14. Interconnection features 18 allow for a snapping connection without the need for tools to connect activation mechanism 16 to door 14.

Door apparatus 14 includes a first assembly 20, a second assembly 22, a heating apparatus 24, a foam seal 26 and an impact shield 28. First assembly 20 is a formed by way of an injection molding process. First assembly 20 is a substrate 20 that includes a pocket 30, a circuitous pocket 32 and interference protrusions 34. Pocket 30 allows for the inclusion of a current control device that is dependent upon temperature. Linked to pocket 30 is circuitous pocket 32 that allows for the positioning of a heating element therein. Along a portion of circuitous pocket 30, interference protrusions 34 are positioned to partially extend over a portion of circuitous pocket 32. Interference protrusions 34 have ramped or curved surfaces to guide the placing of a heating element therebetween.

Second assembly 22 is a cover portion 22 that covers first assembly 20 and includes a pattern of depressions 36 and sidewalls 38. Sidewalls 38 allow for the positioning of foam seal 26 thereon. Depressions 36 are laid out in a pattern, such as a grid shown in FIG. 2. The grid reduces the heat conduction of second assembly 22 by thereby forming air pockets upon the mounting of foam seal 26. Second assembly 22 may be overmolded upon first assembly 20 after the inclusion of heating apparatus 24. Alternatively, second assembly 22 may be connected mechanically to first assembly 20 by way of connection feature and/or adhesive. Sidewalls 38 may extend beyond foam pad 26 and shield 28 as shown in FIG. 3, or sidewalls 38 may be shorter relative to foam pad 26 and shield 28 as shown in FIG. 4.

Now, additionally referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, there is shown heating apparatus 24, including incoming conductors 40, a heating element 42, a resistor 44 and a temperature sensitive current controller 46. Incoming conductors 40 supply electrical energy to heating element 42. Heating element 42 includes a resistive conductor 50 surrounded by a compressible layer 48. Compressible layer 48 is resistant to thermal breakdown and provides electrical insulation of restive conductor 50. Alternatively, compressible layer 48 may be completely omitted. Resistor 44 is in electrical series with temperature sensitive current controller 46. Resistor 44 and temperature sensitive current controller 46 are placed in proximity to each other in pocket 30. The value of resistor 44 is selected to dissipate sufficient heat to be quickly sensed by temperature sensitive current controller 46 to thereby alter the current flow through conductor 50 and control the temperature of heating element 42 in first assembly 20.

Foam seal 26 is placed upon pattern 36 of second assembly 22, thereby providing an insulative and compressible layer to door apparatus 14. When door apparatus 14 is in contact with discharge tube 12, foam seal 26 compresses to accommodate the pressure against discharge tube 12 by way of the contact of door apparatus 14 against discharge tube 12. On another side of foam seal 26 is impact shield 28, which is resilient in nature so as to absorb the impact of ice cubes against impact shield 28. Impact shield 28 and foam seal 26 coact to absorb the kinetic energy of ice impacting against the assembly.

In assembling door apparatus 14, first assembly 20 is formed having circuitous pocket 32 formed therein with interference protrusions 34 protruding somewhat over circuitous pocket 32. Heating apparatus 24 is positioned into first assembly 20 by placing resistor 44 and temperature sensitive current controller 46 in pocket 30. Connected to pocket 30 is circuitous pocket 32 through which heating element 42 is routed. When heating element 42 contacts interference protrusions 34, the diameter of heating element 42 exceeds the distance between interference protrusions 34. At the point of interference, heating element 42 is forced between interference protrusions 34, thereby causing heating element 42 to be retained in circuitous pocket 32. This allows the easy insertion of heating element 42 along a significant portion of circuitous pocket 32. Placement of interference protrusions 34 are such that they preclude the need of utilizing adhesive or other retaining mechanisms in the routing of heating element 42 to thereby prepare first assembly 20 for assembly with second assembly 22. Protrusions 34 are preferably along less than 20% of circuitous pocket 32 and more preferably less than 10%, thereby allowing the easy insertion of heating element 42 over a long linear path. Interference protrusions 34 are primarily placed at places where heating element 42 may have a tendency to leave circuitous pocket 32. Advantageously, heating element 42 may be routed through circuitous pocket 32 without requiring special tooling and can be easily removed and/or rerouted if a problem in heating element 42 is detected by the installer. Compressible layer 48 of heating element 42 coacts with interference protrusions 34 to retain heating element 42 in pocket 32. Protrusions 34 and/or compressible layer 48 compress allowing the passing of heating element 42 between protrusions 34 without damage to compressible layer 48, protrusions 34 or resistive conductor 50. Alternatively, compressible layer 48 may be omitted and resistive conductor 50 interacts with protrusions 34 to retain heating element 42 in circuitous pocket 32.

Electrical energy is supplied to heating apparatus 24, and temperature sensitive current controller 46 allows a flow of power through resistor 44 and through heating element 42. The flow of electrical current through resistor 44 and heating element 42 is reduced as the temperature of current controller 46 increases. Correspondingly, as the temperature of current controller 46 decreases the current through controller 46, resistor 44 and heating element 42 increases. This advantageously has a controlling effect on the temperature of first assembly 20. Alternatively, resistor 44 and temperature sensitive current controller 46 may be omitted leaving heating element 42 to be either controlled by some other mechanism exterior to the present invention or for the resistivity of heating element 42 to be of a predetermined value for constantly having heat supplied thereto.

The present invention advantageously supplies sufficient heat to first assembly 20 to prevent the forming of condensate thereon. Additionally, the depressions of pattern 36 coact with foam seal 26 to reduce the heat flow therethrough, thereby increasing the efficiency of ice making apparatus 10 and the melting of ice therein.

While this invention has been described as having a preferred design, the present invention can be further modified within the spirit and scope of this disclosure. This application is therefore intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention using its general principles. Further, this application is intended to cover such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art to which this invention pertains and which fall within the limits of the appended claims. 

1. An ice distributing apparatus, comprising: an ice discharge tube; an activation mechanism; and a door apparatus in releasable contact with said ice discharge tube, said door apparatus including: a routing pocket; a plurality of interference protrusions proximate to said routing pocket; and a heating element at least partially disposed in said routing pocket and retained by at least one of said plurality of interference protrusions.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a cover portion that is one of overmolded and connected over top of said routing pocket.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said cover portion includes a pattern of depressions therein.
 4. The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising a compressible pad having a first side and a second side, said first side being connected to said cover portion.
 5. The apparatus of claim 4, further comprising an impact shield connected to said second side of said compressible pad.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a temperature sensitive current control device electrically connected to said heating element.
 7. The apparatus of claim 6, further comprising a resistive element in series with said temperature sensitive current control device and proximate to said temperature sensing device.
 8. An icemaker door, comprising: a routing pocket; a plurality of interference protrusions proximate to said routing pocket; and a heating element at least partially disposed in said routing pocket and retained by at least one of said plurality of interference protrusions.
 9. The apparatus of claim 8, further comprising a cover portion that is one of overmolded and connected over top of said routing pocket.
 10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said cover portion includes a pattern of depressions therein.
 11. The apparatus of claim 9, further comprising a compressible pad having a first side and a second side, said first side being connected to said cover portion.
 12. The apparatus of claim 11, further comprising an impact shield connected to said second side of said compressible pad.
 13. The apparatus of claim 8, further comprising a temperature sensitive current controlling device electrically connected to said heating element.
 14. The apparatus of claim 13, further comprising a resistive element in series with said temperature sensitive current controlling device and proximate to said temperature sensing device.
 15. A method of constructing an icemaker door, comprising the steps of: routing a heating element in a predefined pocket in a formed substrate; and pressing said heating element between interference protrusions that are proximate to said predefined pocket.
 16. The method of claim 15, further comprising the step of one of overmolding and connecting a cover portion over said formed substrate.
 17. The method of claim 16, further comprising the step of connecting a foam pad on a side of said cover portion.
 18. The method of claim 17, further comprising the step of connecting an impact shield to a side of said foam pad.
 19. The method of claim 15, further comprising the step of electrically connecting a temperature sensitive current controlling device to said heating element.
 20. The method of claim 16, further comprising the step of placing a resistor of predetermined value proximate to said temperature sensitive current controlling device, said resistor being electrically in series with said temperature sensitive current controlling device. 